Language Attitudes and Popular Culture: A Critical Discourse Analysis Study of the English Language in India

Abstract:     
India is a multilingual country, where English as a language occupies a significant position. Most of the communication tasks in semi-government and private sectors are now carried out in English. The demand for English language proficiency is reflected across the Indian media, in the articles published in newspapers and magazines. This paper explores newspaper and magazine articles that represent English as a prerequisite to secure corporate jobs in India. Using Critical Discourse Analysis (CDA) as the framework, specially Fairclough (1992) techniques of analysis, an investigation has been carried out into the way these texts marginalize candidates who are not adept at the English language and present better chances of employment for candidates possessing excellence in English. Such an exploration unveils the discourse practices and the underlying ideologies about the English language in the contemporary society and the corporate job sector in India.

Accepted Paper Series